Most people think they're safe in their own home, but you can never be too careful. The specter of burglaries and intrusions is cause to be focused on home safety when you're on the road or even while you're asleep. Luckily, there are a number of easy steps you can take to prevent being the victim of such an incident.The resident of a house in Clover, North Carolina, experienced a home invasion recently, but did not roll over when confronted with the three intruders. The Gaston Gazette reports that Rusty Dakota Millwood was armed with a handgun and managed to shoot one of the criminals, while the other two were arrested.
Police say the incident began when three individuals forced their way into Millwood's mobile home. One of the suspects was allegedly armed, which prompted a struggle, leaving one of the perpetrators dead, and the homeowner is not facing any charges. Investigators say that the four individuals were likely acquainted before the invasion and it was not a random incident.
Though Millwood was prepared for the break-in other individuals may not be so equipped, and while owning a handgun may not be the best possible route, there are other ways to prevent such an intrusion from even happening, according to Livesafely.org.
First and foremost, homeowners should be sure not to let anybody in they are unfamiliar with. It may seem like common sense, but just checking through the peep hole before opening the door can make a big difference. Furthermore, investing in a solid core door is important as well, as it will reduce the chances of having the door broken down to almost zero.
Another important step to take is to make sure your phone is equipped with a 911 speed dial. Being able to instantly alert police can go a long way in maintaining your (and your family's) personal safety. Similarly, the source suggests you may want to practice an escape plan so that if you ever need to make a quick getaway there is no confusion or delay. As a final step, be sure to install a reliable alarm system.
"Get a good home alarm monitoring system and have prominently displayed home alarm system decals on your doors and windows," the news provider reports. "This might be enough to deter those looking for a random mark."
Some homeowners may want to equip themselves with a personal defense tool in the event that someone manages to enter the home anyway. Pepper spray has proven to cause temporarily blindness and difficulty breathing, and can be an effective way to disable an intruder, attacker or assailant, but you should be well versed on how to use it correctly if the need ever arises.
One of the best things to remember when using pepper spray is to back up while discharging the device in an "X" or "Z" pattern to get the most out of it. Another key to using the device as best as possible is to keep your eyes open. While you may think that having your eyes open will cause you to suffer the effects, it will ensure that you are firing on the correct target.
Additionally, whether you're out and about or at home, you want to keep it in an easy-to-reach location so that it can be used quickly and effectively if you ever have to.
